Father of the Bride

Rehearsal

Daryn was very uncomfortable even though he was dressed quite comfortably. He wore snug blue jeans that hugged his curves, a loose white shirt opened at the collar that played up his cleavage and squeaky white sneakers.

What he found uncomfortable was the elegant white veil sitting on top of his head. It should be sitting on his daughter's.

"This is ridiculous. I can't possibly do this." Daryn was desperately trying to remain calm.

"And why is that Love?" Amanda asked, fussing with her own collar.

"No one is here is why. Amelia is not her because she out chasing what's-his-name. Andrea is not here because she's out chasing Amelia. And I'm not here because I'm here." He'd started out well enough but somehow, he'd mucked up the ending.

"And? Come on lets have it all."

"Who's going to give me away?" Daryn moped.

Amanda considered that. "We certainly can't have you giving yourself away now, can we? Somehow that wouldn't seem proper."

"No, it wouldn't," Daryn agreed wholeheartedly.

"There's nothing for it then but that I must give you away."

"Really! Would you?" Daryn beamed instantly the radiant bride.

"Believe you me, Daryn, there is nothing I'd rather do than give you away to someone else to have and to hold until death do you part."

"Mother, you're wonderful." And just to prove it he gave her a gracious kiss on her sere cheek.

"Please, Dear," Amanda winced. "You'll smug my makeup." That's most definitely what she said but that's not how she felt.

"Sorry." Daryn stared down the aisle, his face flushed with anticipation, brandishing his stand-in bouquet proudly.

"No more nonsense now." Amanda dropped the white veil over his face. "Ready?"

"Ready." Darrin stepped forward sprightly on the ball of his right foot. In his mind his train, trained along obsequiously in tow. The organ music swelled, and the crowd inhaled as one, everyone awestruck by the vision of maidenhood that strolled confident of his place in the scheme of things into the cathedral.

Everything went without a hitch right up to the I-dos.

Paris, towering over Daryn pulled back the veil and gazed longingly into his misty eyes.

Then they kissed.

"Oh my," Amanda sobbed, actually in tears. "Don't mind me. I always cry at weddings."

"Soon," Paris whispered.

"Soon, My Love."